Families of both American and Israeli hostages were welcomed on stage at US President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade on Monday night by his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, an instrumental figure in pushing Israel to agree to the ceasefire and hostage agreement.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump shook hands with the families as they filed on stage, pausing to speak with the family of Omer Neutra, a New York-born and raised IDF tank commander who was killed on October 7.
Daniel Neutra, Omer’s younger brother, received thunderous applause after raising a poster of his brother and pumping his fist.
Witkoff introduced Trump to the stage, who began his remarks saying, “We won. We won, but now the work begins; we have to bring them home.”
Directly behind Trump stood Noa Argamani, one of the hostages rescued during an IDF operation.
In Witkoff’s introduction, he said a stable and prosperous Middle East is not an unattainable dream.
Witkoff said Trump’s presidency has provided a “clear, bold vision for the Middle East,” and his leadership defined what’s possible in the pursuit of progress and stability in the region.
“His decisive, pragmatic approach ensures that even the most entrenched conflicts are met with fresh perspectives and innovative strategies,” Witkoff said. “His policies have already delivered remarkable successes, such as yesterday’s release of hostages in Gaza.”
ACCORDING TO Witkoff, Trump laid out four policies for the Middle East.The first is respect for sovereignty, and the second is economic prosperity.“Three, courageous diplomacy; real progress requires difficult conversations and bold decisions, and it is through these that trust is built and maintained,” Witkoff said. “And finally, four, reciprocity and accountability. The United States requires reciprocal actions from our partners.”Leaders across the Middle East recognized that this Trump administration is serious about results, not symbolic gestures, but real, meaningful progress that improves lives, he added.“It’s not always easy. There are moments of deep challenge and frustration. Decades of mistrust cannot be undone overnight. Yet I take comfort in knowing that I am not in this alone,” Witkoff said. “President Trump’s clarity of vision ensures that I never have to question what success looks like.“His leadership provides the confidence and direction necessary to navigate these complexities as we move forward.My commitment is to continue the work of advancing President Trump’s vision for the Middle East, whether through expanding the Abraham Peace Accords, fostering economic development, or facilitating dialog between long-standing adversaries, my focus remains on actual, actionable results,” he continued.Under Trump’s guidance we are proving the impossible can become reality, he said.The hostage families in attendance at the parade included Adi and Yael Alexander, parents of American hostage Edan Alexander; Liran Berman, brother of hostages Gali and Ziv Berman; Ruby and Hagit Chen, parents of deceased American hostage Itay Chen; Etty Israeli, Chen’s aunt; Avital Dekel-Chen, wife of American Sagui Dekel-Chen; Jonathan Dekel-Chen, Sagui’s father; and Tomer Tal and Amir Vishnevsky, brothers in law of Sagui.Additionally, Shoshan Haran, Hamas captivity survivor and mother-in-law of hostage Tal Shoham; Liz Naftali, aunt of Abigail Mor Edan, released American hostage; and Iris Weinstein Haggai, daughter of American hostage Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, were in attendance.“It is deeply touching to have been highlighted by the president during today’s inaugural event and to feel the love and hope conveyed by the crowd in attendance. This week’s progress toward bringing every hostage home has stirred within us an emotion that is difficult for us to embrace: hope,” the hostage families in attendance said.“While these days and weeks remain painful for our families, we are aware of and appreciative of President Trump’s commitment to bringing home every single hostage.“Through meetings and conversations with him and his team, including [National Security Advisor] Mike Waltz, [Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs-nominee] Adam Boehler, and Steve Witkoff, the president’s steadfast dedication to our cause has been clear to us, and it was [clear] for all the world to see this afternoon.”